Read More

Zak Melluish, left, with his childhood friend Callum, when he was a pupil at West Exe School (Image: Devon Live)

Also paying tribute to Zak, his mum Claire said: “I am just so proud of how far he had come. I saw him the day before he died and took him out, and he said he was thinking of getting a little job and wanted to start a course in January to be a drugs councillor.

“He was over the moon to be having a baby on the way. It would have been the making of him.”

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

Claire added that what was helping her through the sudden loss of her son was the support she was receiving from his friends.

Zak, who was born and bred in Exeter, was a pupil at West Exe School, and played for Exeter Saracens. He also went to Exeter College and dBs Music college in Bristol.

He previously worked for Marks & Spencer, but had been signed off work.

Zak Melluish on his prom night (Image: Devon Live)

Martin Stokke, one of his best friends, spoke to Zak the before he died and was told the news he was to become a dad.

Martin, 26, said: “He said it was exactly what he needed to give him a focus in life and would turn his life around. He said he was really happy.

“I have known him for about 10 years after he had a fight with my little brother and we become good friends.

Read More

All the latest news from around Exeter

“Zak was so funny, and such a generous and honest person. What you saw was what you got, and he was known as the heart of the party. He was quite an energetic guy who always brought a good vibe with him.

“To me he was just Zak and that’s a unique combination of everything.

“The fundraiser in his memory is going to be a good night and something he would be proud of.”

Zak’s passion was music and had been a DJ at local venues including Exeter Phoenix, Move and EX4, as well as venues outside of the city.

Zak’s celebration DJ event will include a line-up of two Manchester DJs as well as local names who knew Zak, including Martin.

Tickets cost between £8 to £20, depending on how much people would like to donate. All proceeds from the event will go to the trust fund.